device shines as Astralis beat MIBR to win BLAST Pro Series Istanbul

Astralis have claimed the BLAST Pro Series Istanbul 2018 title after beating MIBR in a close three-map series.

The first map of the series was Train, MIBR's map pick, where Nicolai "⁠device⁠" Reedtz single-handedly locked down the CT pistol and the following anti-ecos, with each round secured by a quad-kill hold on B. The 23-year-old proceeded to earn two more for Astralis, switching things up with back-to-back triple-kills on A, which paved the way for a dream 7-0 lead.

It wasn't until the eighth round that MIBR claimed their first, punishing Astralis for over-extending their defense. MIBR followed up with a plant in a 3v5 situation, but Astralis responded with a well-executed retake. The Danes went on to add three more to their lead, before Gabriel "⁠FalleN⁠" Toledo and co. won the last round of the half to bring the scoreline to 2-13.

In the second half, the pressure from Astralis was quickly dissipated by the CTs of MIBR, who only lost two men securing the second pistol. But in the end, the Danes continued their dominance, locking down the next three rounds of Train, with device leading the way with a 34/7 KD and 2.72 rating in the 16-3 map victory.

Next up in the series was Overpass, one of Astralis' stronger maps MIBR picked up the CT pistol with ease, but, in the following round, device secured the eco for his team with a triple kill. Astralis continued to hound down on FalleN's men, with the scoreline blooming to a 5-1 lead.

MIBR finally stood their ground in the seventh round with only one casualty, although a swift triple-kill from Lukas "⁠gla1ve⁠" Rossander turned things around for the Danes in the following round. With their backs against the wall, MIBR managed to hold out for a few more rounds against the Danes, but gla1ve and his men comfortably made it a 10-5 half.

Jake "⁠Stewie2K⁠" Yip came out in the second half with fire in his belly, swiftly picking up a massive quad-kill to win the T pistol for his team, who would go on to win the following anti-ecos before a lopsided round saw the Danes come out on top in the first rifle round.

The two sides then went back and forth, before MIBR collected three more to even the score at 12-12, but poor time management cost FalleN & co. the lead and forced them to call a timeout. Astralis went on to secure their 14th, but another tactical pause called by MIBR paid off as it enabled them to take Overpass by the skin of their teeth.

The series then came down to Inferno. MIBR came out swinging to earn the T pistol on A, but the following eco saw Andreas "⁠Xyp9x⁠" Højsleth and device even things out with a firm hold on B. The Danes continued their success, denying the Terrorists' efforts, adding five more to make it 6-1. The rest of the half was all about the Brazilians' great executes, though, as they ran all over the defence to bring the deficit to 7-8.

Astralis came out strongly in the second half, picking up the pistol and the following anti-ecos, but then the two sides went back and forth once again, until MIBR locked down four to even game at 12-12. The CZs were all that Astralis needed to break the tie, but not for long, as the CTs fired back to even things once more. A series of chaotic battles ensued, but as the prospect of overtime loomed, Astralis hammered the final nail into the Brazilians' coffin with an A execute to secure the map, 16-14, and the series.

BLAST Pro Series Istanbul final standings:

1. Astralis - $125,000
2. MIBR - $50,000
3. Ninjas in Pyjamas - $45,000
4. Space Soldiers - $15,000
5. Virtus.pro - $10,000
6. Cloud9 - $5,000